Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Poesy

Since Nine

Half past twelve. The time has quickly passedsince nine o'clock when I first turned up the lampand sat down here. I've been sitting without reading,without speaking. With whom should I speak,so utterly alone within this house?The apparition of my youthful body,since nine o'clock when I first turned up the lamp,has come and found me and reminded meof shuttered perfumed roomsand of pleasure spent—what wanton pleasure!And it also brought before my eyesstreets made unrecognizable by time,bustling city centres that are no moreand theatres and cafés that existed long ago.The apparition of my youthful bodycame and also brought me cause for pain:deaths in the family; separations;the feelings of my loved ones, the feelings ofthose long dead which I so little valued.Half past twelve. How the time has passed.Half past twelve. How the years have passed.